Seb (played by Harry Visinoni) has been struggling to cope after his mother Abby (Sally Carman) overdosed on heroin and then had her twins taken away by social services.

Anna (Debbie Rush) has become intent on helping the troubled 16-year-old and his family, often looking after the younger children when their mother was unable to.

However, Pat Phelan took this opportunity to drive Seb against Anna, which came to a head this evening.

As Seb sat down for a bite to eat, Anna asked: “Have you had any news on Abby and the twins? How are they doing?”

Raging, Seb stood up and snapped: “I don’t even know where they are! I know where my mum is. She’s on the street scoring smack thanks to you,” prompting an exasperated Anna to shout: “Seb. I never called social services!”

Using Phelan’s own words, he said: “No, we don’t want you. Okay? We don’t want you. We don’t need you. Even Faye hates you. You’re just an ugly chargrilled fishwife who won’t leave us alone.”

Fuming, Anna loudly slapped the teenager across the face in front of the customers, before apologising: “I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to do that. I’m really sorry.”

Fans instantly rushed to social media, with one tweeting: “Haven't seen a slap like that since peggy slapped pat in EastEnders #Corrie,” as another wrote: “Hope he got paid extra for taking that slap. Almost knocked him out #Corrie.”